A boxing gym in Hucknall is preparing to launch a new class aimed at children aged between five and nine.

Hucknall Boys Amateur Boxing Club based on Peveril Street, which is just off Annesley Road, will begin the classes next week. They will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30pm until 5pm, starting on 13 June.

The new class will be an addition to the already popular group sessions which cater to ages 9-16 years. Katie Yemm one of the coaches involved at Hucknall boys boxing club will be running the new class with the support of John, Craig and Andy who have over 15 years' experience in the game.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News about the reason behind starting the classes, she said: "There has been a high request to offer classes for a younger age from parents, they want to get their kids into something young and the current child's class has been working so well. I have the time and passion to run this new class and I am really looking forward to training a different age group. I love seeing the children learn and develop in character and I enjoy training them, I love everything about the club so why not open it up for something more, if you've got a passion for something that you can give to others then why not?

Mrs Yemm's passion for the sport and for passing that on to the next generation is immediately obvious from the moment she begins to speak about the boxing club and new class.

On the satisfaction she gets from training young boxers, she said: "It's amazing, you can see it (progress) with kids straight away pretty much, because sometimes they've had a hard time at school, or at home and boxing is their escape. So, when someone comes and they're a little bit down in the dumps, or they're being picked on at school, and then you give them that boost of confidence, even if's just showing them one punch, then they execute that punch right and the joy in their face and the confidence that they've got, straight away as a coach you feel satisfied.

Hucknall Boys Amateur Boxing Club was founded by and is still managed by John Machin 15 years ago. It was previously located on Watnall Road near The Central Club in a building that has now been demolished. Five years ago, the club moved to its current premises, a former community centre which was standing empty. Since then, it has been transformed into a really smart, functional, surprisingly spacious gym which boasts excellent equipment and facilities.

Katie added: "We're just a team. Everyone that's here, everyone that volunteers, they want to volunteer their time, they care about the sport, they've got a passion for this sport, and they genuinely care about who they are training, And going into a male dominated sport and being accepted in the way that I have and being encouraged to coach and supported through it is incredible, it's completely changed me as a person."

Unlike the stereotypical boxing gym which can seem intimidating to newcomers, this gym has a very welcoming atmosphere.

This is something which attracted trainer Craig Blakeway to start volunteering at the gym seven years ago.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, he said: "It's a nice friendly club. There's a bit of banter going around, backwards and forwards and everybody gets along, there's no bad feeling towards anybody else, everyone wants to help everyone else out.

"I think with boxing it doesn't matter what level you are working towards there is something for you. Whether that's helping you with learning difficulties, behavioural problems, aggression, that's the biggest thing, or even keeping fit. It helps us so much."

Asked for his thoughts on the new class, which he will be helping with initially, he said: "From four going to be five and going into school it's quite a big change from being looked after and told what you've got to do to kind of being left on your own a little bit.

"I think five onwards is great for teaching kids a bit of discipline with fun and games. You've obviously got to make it as fun as you can whilst keeping them fit away from distractions.

"If you get hold of kids from five you can get them on that right track straight away. In any sport it is more beneficial to start young and gain the benefits and skill ready to progress with age."

The class will cost £3 per session, and no registration is needed prior to the first class.

For more information about the boxing club, please click here.